15228 réponses à ce sujet

[Aasim]

 As is, its only real use is against mod creatures that apply the magical cold and magical fire damage types.

I don't think there are any such mods, at least not of any quality or reputation - killing something with magical fire or cold causes game to crash. I think Tobex fixed that, Galactygon found a way around it (with minHP effect just before death), but otherwise these are unused. And yes, I agree Pro Elements is probably trash in vanilla spells options.

 

Rikimaru & the gang, entering BG2 challenge

So far, they're waiting for me to install Dungeon-beGone.

This is them:

Rikimaru, 222 kills, Agnasia most poweful killed (who is Agnasia!?)

 

Larthun, 82 kills, Battle Horror

 

Razfal, 170 kills, Battle Horror

 

Hax, 102 kills, Battle Horror

 

Mirtis, 301 kills, Greater Basilisk

[corey_russell]

Nice start, Corey!

 

I noticed that Millen is wearing armor in his screenshot. Will he wear armor often?

 

Best,

 

A.

Thanks! As to your question, it entirely depends on the enemies. Basically, it depends if I intend to cast spells during combat. If so, then no armor. But if I intend to buff first, use armor, and just use potions/items during battle (if needed), then I will use that approach. Because I can't cast Spirit Armor as an illusionist, I get far better AC protection if I wear my full plate (not only 1 AC but also the slashing and piercing resistance). I noticed when I did max buffs for the Yuan-ti mage (and put armor on afterwards) in D'Arnise Keep, Millen's AC was -13! Insane, my pure fighters are usually only about -6 AC by this point, maybe -8 AC if I am using something like the Fortress Shield.

[corey_russell]

The infection is spreading doctor .

Just for the record, I wasn't trying to not use potions - rather, the enemies fail to penetrate my defenses before they are dead, so no potion during the battle was necessary. I have had to use potions quite a bit from trap damage so far...

[Alesia_BH]

I don't think there are any such mods

 

That wouldn't surprise me. I've never encountered one in my no reload days. I was offering a theoretically possible use of Protection from the Elements. It does provide an avenue to reach 100% resistance to magical cold and magical fire. Protection from Fire and Protection from Cold alone can not. 

 

IIRC, Tactics Bodhi should apply magical cold. That had been the composers wish, if I recall, since it could easily sneak by an unsuspecting player. I was thinking of that when I made my earlier statement.

 

EDIT: Tactics Bodhi's Chill of the Grave. Note that the displayed damage type is magical cold.

 

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Thanks! As to your question, it entirely depends on the enemies. Basically, it depends if I intend to cast spells during combat.

 

Makes sense.

 

 

Because I can't cast Spirit Armor as an illusionist, I get far better AC protection if I wear my full plate (not only 1 AC but also the slashing and piercing resistance). 

 

 

Makes sense.

 

 Millen's AC was -13! Insane, my pure fighters are usually only about -6 AC by this point, maybe -8 AC if I am using something like the Fortress Shield.

 

Yes. Mages can easily attain lower ACs than warriors, and frequently their ACs are even lower than they seem since II and Pro Evil bonuses won't display. Arcadia routinely reached the -20s, effective.

 

Anyhoo. Continued good hunting with Millen!

 

Best,

 

A.

[corey_russell]

Millen the solo level 10 fighter/level 11 illusionist - update 3

 

Millen has cleared the D'Arnise Keep without any problems. It was necessary to use Stonefire/shield of harmony for this bit, so I wouldn't have to switch weapons to finish off the trolls.

 

I allowed Nalia to join me for the duration of the quest, then when it was over, kicked her out. There are several reasons for that. For one, I always find it difficult on role-playing grounds to refuse her into the group if I have room - she knows the people in the keep, she knows the layout of the land, and she may know of resources that could help. Then there's the detail is you get 10,000 gold if she is in the group when you leave the keep after Torgal is dead (if she's alive), otherwise you only get 650 gold. I expect to purchase a lot of spells, not to mention expensive things like Robe of Vecna, so really need the cash in this case.

 

Also Alesia, I haven't been using protection from evil because I thought the duration was too low - I carefully read the description this time (3 rounds x level of caster), and that looks use-able - I have added it to my spell book. Should have used this on my Ruzzel run - oops.

[Alesia_BH]

 

Also Alesia, I haven't been using protection from evil because I thought the duration was too low - I carefully read the description this time (3 rounds x level of caster), and that looks use-able - I have added it to my spell book. Should have used this on my Ruzzel run - oops.

 

Interesting. I get 2 rounds/level from the mage version. 3/level from the priest single target.

 

Fixpack, perhaps?

 

In any case, it's worth casting, I'd say. The casting time is short, to, so you can refresh easily.

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Aphril, Elven Sorcerer: Firkraag (or The Race, Part 2)

 

With Imoen's revised rules, Aphril, Adara, and Aerie decided to hold another dragon kill race. Aphril once again, would use Improved Alacrity. Adara, Imprisonment. Aerie, Harm. No boots of speed this time. Aerie could pre-cast Harm, and the touch casters, Aerie and Adara, would get a positional head start. Any ProMWs would be Breached away by Imoen with her freshly Wished up Wand of Spell Striking, clearing the way for Aerie's Harm.

 

Aphril and Adara complained that Imoen was gerrymandering the rules in favor of Aerie. And she was, no doubt, but could Aerie prevail?

 

Here we see everyone at their starting positions. Aerie, invisible, running the Holy Triumvirate, ready with her Harm. Adara preparing to close the 2 meter gap to start her Imprisonment (Btw. I'm not sure whether Firkraag can be Imprisoned in my install. I doubt it.). Aphril in the rear firing up Improved Alacrity.

 

Let the slaying begin!

 

At this point, Aerie's chances looked outstanding. Firkraag's magic resistance had already been lowered. He wasn't running ProMW. Harm has an attack speed factor of 1. Aerie is right there. Adara has already said "manos" but she knew she was out of it: there was no way Firkraag would last 9 round segments.

 

But no! Aerie critical missed! Imoen and I couldn't believe it. Aphril and her Improved Alacrity took the prize again.

 

Aphril remains undefeated, but don't count Aerie out in the Niz race. Adara, meanwhile, is contemplating retirement. 

 

 

Best,

 

A.

 

Aerie, L16/14 C/M: Kills- 415; XP Value- 29%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Hive Mother; Favorite Spell- Holy Smite; Favorite Weapon- Flail of Ages; Cumulative Damage Taken- ~50HP

 

Imoen, L7/17 T->M: Kills- 65; XP Value- 9%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Kangaxx the Demi-Lich; Favorite Spell- Stoneskins; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- ~15HP

 

Adara, L19 Sorcerer: Kills- 388; XP Value- 32%; Most Powerful Vanquished- Chromatic Demon; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- 65HP (one death)

 

Aphril, L19 Sorcerer: Kills- 385; XP Value- 30%; Most Powerful Vanquished: Firkraag; Favorite Spell- Invisibility; Favorite Weapon- Melf's Minute Meteors; Cumulative Damage Taken- 0HP

[Aasim]

 Rikimaru, 1st BG2 update

 

Very short - we did Umar village stuff, visited Graveyard for an ioun stone, harpers, got level 10; got a duration upgrade to Rage abilites and WS's Disruptive Strike ability - he can now remove combat protections from his target. Provided he hits it, ofc.

Mae'var was the first to take it.

 

(Fireshield isn't removed since it's not a combat protection in SR)

 

 

He had one more in Contingency which isn't prone to spell failure, but it didn't matter.

 

The big battle was in fact a  random encounter. Mirtis got hit by Greater Command as we were rushing toward the exit. All hell broke loose quickly, I was lucky only Rikimaru failed to save vs Confusion.

 

Hax died, again. Failed to save vs Hold Person, and got whacked by skeletons.

 

We won with no further casualties other than a number of healing potions.

[Aasim]

Btw. I'm not sure whether Firkraag can be Imprisoned in my install

I don't think any dragon can.

[Alesia_BH]

I don't think any dragon can.

 

I don't believe so either. I just wanted to give Adara something to do here. We don't need two referees. 

 

Best,

 

A.

[Alesia_BH]

Does Revisions alter Berserk and Enrage?

 

How did you handle Rayic?

 

Best.

 

A.

 

Btw. This run looks exciting! I hope your Clan makes it far.

[corey_russell]

I don't believe so either. I just wanted to give Adara something to do here. We don't need two referees. 

 

Best,

 

A.

Perhaps you should have tried to petrify Firkraag - then unpetrify him and kill him again. 

[Alesia_BH]

Perhaps you should have tried to petrify Firkraag

 

Adara doesn't know Flesh to Stone. Plus, it allows a save and has a casting time of 6. Her odds of executing that before Aerie or Aphril could get a kill were slim to none.

 

SCS dragon immunities include Petrification anyways.

 

The interesting thing about Imprisonment is that it ignores magic resistance and doesn't allow a save. It's overpowered, which is why I rarely use it. That said, Vecna + Improved Alacrity is even worse, as Aphril is ably demonstrating. I've more or less resolved to nerf Vecna after this run.

 

In an RPed adventure, I could imagine using Imprisonment exactly once. In the narrative, I'd be inclined to dramatize the casting, making it seem epic and exhausting. I'd style it as something that could only be done once in an adventure, or perhaps once in a lifetime. I think the Chromatic Demon is the perfect target. He richly deserves Imprisonment.

 

Best,

 

A.

[corey_russell]

Millen the solo level 10 fighter/level 11 illusionist - Update 4

 

Got a bit more done. Weathered a few more vampire ambushes OK - now that I got a charm helmet and AoP, they aren't quite as dangerous now as they would otherwise be.

 

I went into the graveyard to battle Pa'naii - mainly to get the spell immunity scroll. I then did some thinking - I could cast quite a few more SI if I had a cloudkill wand, then I could take cloudkill out of my spellbook. I just barely had enough money for a Protection from Undead scroll and went to the Gate District. I memorized knock to open the door to the lich. I used the scroll, then identified everything.

 

I then memorized 3 SI spells. I then headed to the Bridge District to test them out. First though, I went into the room that would lead to one of the Kangaxx liches, as I still don't have my license. I did lots of buffing, including SI:A, SI:D and also SI:E - I keep my armor off and charge to Captain Dennis. I open with chaos - the mage opens by going invisible. I attack a few rounds, then do web, attack a few rounds then do emotion. I don't see the so I kill the melees first, then the druid. Still don't see the mage, but finally my improve invisibility wears off - the mage shows himself but is unbuffed! I quickly cast MMM and fire them off at the mage - it interrupts the mage and in fact kills him - success! I needed the cash from this loot, so was glad for that.

Spoiler

 

********************************

Interesting discovery made:

********************************

I went to the slums to finally get glasses of indentification. Now, with all our recent talk of saves, and being solo, I have been watching my saves very carefully and made an interesting discovery. It's about the ring of human influence and the ring of earth control. According to the descriptions, neither one affects saves in any way - but in my game they most certainly do! Here is my saves with the ring of earth control:

 

And here is my saves when I take off the ring of air control and put on the ring of human influence. (I am buying something, my CHA is only 3)

 

In my install (vanilla BG 2 no mods), there is apparently a penalty to saves (of 1) whenever the ring of human influence is equipped!

 

I well definitely be taking of the RoHI whenever I battle from now on. Perhaps there are other items that negatively affect saves, despite the descriptions not mentioning anything about them. Note I can consistently recreate this behavior with these two items.

[Alesia_BH]

 

Calling protection from energy "seriously underpowered" was probably an exaggeration. Jim will be using it a fair amount in the future. 

 

Yes. It's a fine spell- assuming you play no reload style.

 

I understand why reloaders find it underwhelming.

 

 

 

Good stuff from Alesia as always.

 

 

That's generous of you. The Statue battle was pretty cool, but most of my recent updates have been kind of lame. We're way too spammy-overpowered at this point. I'd like to see us strike a better balance between style and power going forward.

 

 I'll confirm that Firkraag is immune to imprisonment. I'll also mention that he's immune to illithid brain drain in case you were thinking of that route in the future. 

 

 

Yes. I suspected that he'd be Imprisonment immune. Thanks for confirming.

 

I'm semi-surpised that he's immune to intelligence drain, though. I've brain drained Niz in a Smarter Dragons install with standardized dragon immunities. Perhaps David has added Immunity to Intelligence modification recently? Perhaps NIz and Firkraag differ? I'd expect them to be the same, with respect to immunities.

 

I've never seen this before.

 

Neither have I. Weird.

 

Have you Wished up any Wands of Spell Striking yet?

 

Best,

 

A.

 

 

Btw. I can see why you tend not to use Teleport Field. My heavy use of Teleport Field is partially a function of the fact that I dislike summons and prefer to stand in the center of the battle field. Back when I used the Farsight/PI/Summons approach I too made little use of Teleport Field. 

 

Have you tried Contingency: Helpless- Otiluke's Resilient Sphere for PI stasis? I can see some problems with that approach, but it definitely has merits, assuming it works as expected.

[Alesia_BH]

 

In my install (vanilla BG 2 no mods), there is apparently a penalty to saves (of 1) whenever the ring of human influence is equipped!

 

That's a reasonable hypothesis, but I'll suggest that something else is going on.

 

The issue is the Ring of Earth Control. Without the Fixpack, the Ring of Earth Control offers undocumented save bonuses.

 

The Fixpack removes the save bonuses, aligning the item's abilities with its description.

 

Best,

 

A.

[corey_russell]

That's a reasonable hypothesis, but I'll suggest that something else is going on.

 

The issue is the Ring of Earth Control. Without the Fixpack, the Ring of Earth Control offers undocumented save bonuses.

 

The Fixpack removes the save bonuses, aligning the item's abilities with its description.

 

Best,

 

A.

I see. I got it backwards. Hmm...

[Alesia_BH]

Yes, it appears to be a standard dragon immunity now. I learned that the hard way in a previous run. It's especially confusing since the devour brain message still appears even though it's not actually working.

 

Noted. I wonder if David closed off the Chaos Blade too? 

Actually this is not my typical playstyle. If I weren't no-reloading I would have taken improved alacrity first and fought them head on. But since this is my first no-reload attempt I decided to play it extra careful (or so I thought...).
 

 

Noted. 

 

I would have completely freaked if I saw Lavok DDoor to my unbuffed PC while I was locked in PI stasis.

 

I assume you'll be buffing before stasis in mage fights going forward?

 

I don't think I've ever even memorized Otiluke's before. It won't be Jim's last level 4, at any rate.

 

Yes. I haven't used Otiluke's much either. Grond0 has done some nice work with it and the Projected Image application has been on my mind for years. I still haven't tested it yet, though.

 

 

Not yet, but that was the reasoning for taking wish.
 

 

Makes sense. We just Wished up our fourth so that everyone has a wand now. It took an unusually long amount of time. We got, like, 3 or 4 Lightning Wands and Wands of Paralyzation for every Wand of Spell Striking. 

 

The good news is that Imoen has three Wands of Magic Missiles. She's all nostalgic. 

 

Best,

A.

[corey_russell]

Interesting. I get 2 rounds/level from the mage version. 3/level from the priest single target.

 

Fixpack, perhaps?

 

In any case, it's worth casting, I'd say. The casting time is short, to, so you can refresh easily.

 

Best,

 

A.

Sorry my bad - it is in fact 2 rounds/level, just like yours. Guess my memory isn't perfect anymore, lol. Of course, I mentioned 330 spells is a lot for me to remember.

[Grond0]

The Fixpack team discussed whether to remove the bonus to AC as well as saves from the RoEC (which is also undocumented), but decided to leave that one.

[Grond0]

Re Otiluke's - I don't think you should routinely rely on that for safety.  It's subject to dispel magic, which virtually every dangerous SCS enemy will have, and a F/M will thus be particularly vulnerable to being exposed.